Framework on how to safely resume essential cardiovascular diagnostic and treatment care during the COVID-19 pandemic, from the AHA and 14 North American cardiovascular societies

DALLAS, May 4, 2020 — The American Heart Association, together with 14 cardiovascular societies in North America, today issued joint guidance, “Safe Reintroduction of Cardiovascular Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Guidance from North American Society Leadership,” to outline a systematic, phased approach to safely reintroducing cardiovascular procedures for diagnosis and treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.…

Largest grant ever for cannabis research to help fund study by McLean’s Dr. Staci Gruber

McLean Hospital researcher Staci Gruber, PhD, will use funding provided by Harvard University and MIT alumnus Charles R. Broderick to further her studies into different types of cannabis-based products. Last year, Broderick donated $9 million, split evenly between Harvard Medical School and MIT. The funding will support investigations into a range of issues related to…

COVID-19 has unmasked significant health disparities in the US; essay on behalf of the Association

DALLAS, May 4, 2020 — The COVID-19 pandemic has unmasked longstanding racial and ethnic health-related disparities, according to a new article published today in the American Heart Association’s flagship journal Circulation. The perspective essay, “At the Heart of the Matter: Unmasking and Addressing COVID-19’s Toll on Diverse Populations,” notes higher rates of COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths…

New COVID-19 guidance for gastroenterologists

AGA has published new expert recommendations in Gastroenterology: AGA Institute Rapid Review of the GI and Liver Manifestations of COVID-19, Meta-Analysis of International Data, and Recommendations for the Consultative Management of Patients with COVID-19. Key guidance for gastroenterologists: GI symptoms are not as common in COVID-19 as previously estimated: The overall prevalence was 7.7% (95%…

AHA statement: Pregnant women with CVD need specialized care before, during and postpartum

DALLAS, May 4, 2020 — Women with cardiovascular conditions should be cared for during pregnancy by a cardio-obstetrics team or health care providers experienced in high-risk pregnancies to provide specialized maternity care for the mother and fetus, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement, Cardiovascular Considerations in Caring for Pregnant Patients, published today…

Researchers report discovery of antibody that blocks infection by the SARS-CoV-2 in cells

Researchers at Utrecht University, Erasmus Medical Center and Harbour BioMed (HBM) today reported that they have identified a fully human monoclonal antibody that prevents the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus from infecting cultured cells. The discovery, published online today in Nature Communications, is an initial step towards developing a fully human antibody to treat or prevent the…